Country News

Michael W. Smith Prepping All-Star Holiday Album

(Undated) -- Michael W. Smith is getting a jump on the holidays. The contemporary Christian singer has a new seasonal album on the way, which he says is "the most unique and unusual record" he's ever made. "The Spirit of Christmas" was inspired by Michael's performance with Jennifer Nettles on last winter's "CMA Country Christmas," and Jennifer is among the singers featured on the album. Other collaborators on the 14-track compilation include Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, and other country stars, as well as U2's Bono and the Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald. Smith says all of his guests approached the project with "massive amounts of passion." He adds that between the orchestrations and other vocalists, the record is "sonically" unlike anything he's ever done before. "The Spirit of Christmas" will arrive on September 30th.

Michael W. Smith & Friends' "The Spirit of Christmas" track listing

1. The Miracle of Christmas
2. It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
3. Happy Holidays/Holiday Season
4. Christmas Time Is Here (feat. Vince Gill)
5. White Christmas (feat. Lady Antebellum)
6. Somewhere In My Memory
7. The Spirit of Christmas (Deck the Halls, Good King Wenceslas, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Feels Like Christmas, O Come All Ye Faithful)
8. Silent Night (feat. Little Big Town)
9. What Child Is This (feat. Martina McBride)
10. Almost There (feat. Amy Grant)
11. All Is Well (feat. Carrie Underwood)
12. Christmas Day (feat. Jennifer Nettles)
13. The Darkest Midnight (Spoken Word by Bono)
14. Peace (with Special Guest Michael McDonald)